Steeped in legend, Tanabata (七夕/ the star festival) commemorates the annual reuniting of the deities Orihime and Hikoboshi. According to folklore, the Milky Way separates these lovers, and they are allowed to meet only once a year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month of the lunisolar calendar.  

With the stars aligning for this reunion, wishes are destined to come true, which is why this Japanese holiday is celebrated by writing wishes on small pieces of paper and hanging them on bamboo trees.

JASH, in collaboration with the Consulate-General of Japan (CGJ) in Houston, will be giving young Houstonians the opportunity to make a wish Tanabata-style at the Children’s Museum of Houston.

Activities ranging from traditional dancing, storytelling, and craft making have been planned, and JASH and the CGJ need your help making sure the event goes off without a hitch! Two volunteer shifts are available.  Contact ikatayama@jas-hou.org for more information.